[COVID-19] Delhi HC Refuses To Release A Prisoner As His Residence Was In Notified Containment Zone [Read Order]

In an application seeking interim suspension of sentence, the Delhi High Court refused to release the prisoner as his residence fell in the notified containment zone in Delhi.

While denying relief, the Single Bench of Justice Vibhu Bakhru noted that since the applicant's residence falls within a notified containment zone, where residents are at high risk of catching the infection, it would not be appropriate to release the prisoner on the ground of COVID19 contagion.

The order has come in an application seeking interim suspension of sentence till the hearing of the criminal appeals.

The counsel for the appellant submitted that the appellant has been in custody for over three years and three months and therefore his sentence may be suspended.

He also submitted that these applications may be favourably considered on account of the prevalent COVID19 pandemic. While denying relief to the appellant on the ground of pandemic, the court, however, did allow for the appeals of the appellant to be heard on an earlier date.

Containment Zones are the areas which are notified by the State Government as the high risk areas for the COVID19 contagion. These zones are sealed, and strict lockdown is enforced therein. None of the relaxations announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs apply in these areas.

As of date, there are 88 containment zones in Delhi. The appellant in the present case was represented by Mr Roshan Lal Saini. 

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